It is understood both investors, who between them own nearly a third of the bank’s shares, have made their wishes known separately in recent weeks. Singapore’s Temasek is Standard Chartered’s largest shareholder, holding a 17.7pc stake. Aberdeen is second with almost 11pc.

'While there’s no surprise Sands is under pressure, it’s not good to see the CEO in the news', said Christopher Wheeler, an analyst at Atlantic Equities LLP in London, with a neutral rating on the shares. 'It’s very untidy and people hate instability. It’s not clear who will take the role next and what they’ll bring to the table'.